Distribution of media content identifiers to wireless communication devices

ABSTRACT

A data network receives data associating media content identifiers with a content network identifier and a content user identifier. A wireless network receives a registration indicating the content network identifier and the content user identifier and transfers the content network identifier and the content user identifier to the data network. The data network identifies the media content identifiers associated with the content network identifier and the content user identifier and transfers the media content identifiers to the wireless communication network. The wireless network receives a media request from a wireless communication device indicating the content network identifier and the content user identifier. The wireless network transfers the media content identifiers associated with content network identifier and the content user identifier to the wireless communication device.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Universal Plug and Play (uPnP) systems allow users to convenientlyinstall and interface numerous data processing products. A user may plugvarious uPnP devices into a power source and allow the user devices todiscover and automatically interface with one another. For example, theuser may plug media servers and media clients into their Local AreaNetwork (LAN) and allow the media servers and clients to find each otherand exchange media inventory, requests, and content. The Digital LivingNetwork Alliance (DLNA) certifies various user media devices ascomplying with their uPnP specifications.

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) also transfer media content, such asvideo, audio, graphics, and data objects for delivery to variousend-user devices. In many content-delivery architectures, two CDNs areused—one for the content source and another for the content destination.These two CDNs exchange data to dynamically distribute media contentfrom source to destination. The data interactions between CDNs aredirected by Content Delivery Network Interface (CDNI) standards. CDNIspecifies operations like control, logging, prepositioning, inventory,and footprint discovery. The footprint discovery uses Footprint andCapabilities Interface (FCI) data that describes the IP address rangesserved by the CDNs.

Some CDNs use wireless communication networks to deliver their mediacontent to user devices like televisions, computers, and phones. Many ofthese wireless networks have enhanced Multimedia Broadcast MulticastService (eMBMS) systems to wirelessly multicast high-consumption mediacontent. The CDNs may use these wireless network eMBMS systems todeliver their media content. Unfortunately, wireless communicationnetworks and CDNs do not interface with user devices and theirassociated uPnP systems in an efficient and effective manner. Inparticular, the CDNs and eMBMS systems do not effectively interact withuser wireless devices and media servers that have uPnP media capability.

TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

A data network receives data associating media content identifiers witha content network identifier and a content user identifier. A wirelessnetwork receives a registration indicating the content networkidentifier and the content user identifier and transfers the contentnetwork identifier and the content user identifier to the data network.The data network identifies the media content identifiers associatedwith the content network identifier and the content user identifier andtransfers the media content identifiers to the wireless communicationnetwork. The wireless network receives a media request from a wirelesscommunication device indicating the content network identifier and thecontent user identifier. The wireless network transfers the mediacontent identifiers associated with content network identifier and thecontent user identifier to the wireless communication device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a communication system to transfer media contentidentifiers to a wireless communication device.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate a communication system to transfer media contentidentifiers and media content to a wireless communication device througha user communication system.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate communication system 500 to distribute mediaUniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) and associated media content tovarious user devices.

FIG. 9 illustrates a user communications system to distribute mediacontent identifiers to user devices.

FIG. 10 illustrates an LTE network data processing system to distributemedia content identifiers to user devices.

FIG. 11 illustrates a content distribution network data processingsystem to distribute media content identifiers to user devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate communication system 100 to transfer media contentidentifiers to wireless communication device 140. Referring to FIG. 1,communication system 100 comprises data distribution network 120,wireless communication network 130, and wireless communication device140. Data distribution network 120 comprises modems, routers, gateways,servers, communication controllers and databases, and/or some othercontent-delivery network elements. Wireless communication network 130comprises wireless base stations, routers, gateways, media controllersand databases, mobility management systems, multicast coordinationsystems, and/or some other communication network elements. Wirelesscommunication device 140 comprises a phone, computer, media player, orsome other apparatus having radio and data capability.

Data distribution network 120 and wireless communication network 130communicate over data communication links that use IP, CDNI, and/or someother data protocol. Wireless communication network 130 and wirelesscommunication device 140 communicate over wireless communication linksthat use LTE, Wireless Fidelity (Wifi), and/or some other wirelessprotocol. These wireless communication links use the wireless protocols(LTE, Wifi, other) to transport the data protocols (IP, CDNI, other).Data distribution network 120 and wireless communication network 130typically communicate with many other systems over various communicationinterfaces including the Internet. These communication links andinterfaces may be direct or may comprise various intermediate devices,systems, and networks.

Communication system 100 stores, associates, and transfers various dataincluding content network identifiers (IDs), content user IDs, mediacontent IDs, and media content. The media content comprises video,audio, graphics, data files, data objects, and/or some other block ofdata. The media content IDs comprise uniform resource IDs, data objectIDs, data addresses, storage locations, or some other suitable code. Thecontent network IDs comprise data strings that identify individualcontent delivery networks within a larger content-deliveryinfrastructure. The content delivery networks may be small or large andinclude media servers, controllers, and the like. The content user IDsidentify individual consumers of the media content and comprise devicenumbers, account codes, user names, and the like.

In a first operation (#1), data distribution system 120 receives,associates, and stores content inventory data that comprises a contentnetwork ID, content user ID, and media content ID. The content inventorydata was generated by a user communication system (or proxy) thatregularly collects and registers content inventory data with datadistribution system 120 over the Internet or some other datacommunication network.

In a second operation (#2), wireless communication network 130wirelessly receives user service registration data indicating the samecontent network ID and the same content user ID received by datadistribution network 120. The user service registration data wasgenerated by a user communication system (or proxy) that regularlyattaches and communicates over wireless communication network 130. Theuser communication system that sends the content inventory data to datadistribution system 120 may be the same as the user communication systemthat sends the user service registration data to wireless communicationnetwork 130.

In a third operation (#3) and in response to the user serviceregistration, wireless communication network 130 transfer the contentnetwork ID and the content user ID to the data distribution network 120.

In a fourth operation (#4), data distribution network 120 receives thecontent network ID and the content user ID sent from wirelesscommunication network 130. Data distribution network 120 responsivelyidentifies the media content ID based on its association with the samecontent network ID and the same content user ID in both the contentinventory data and the user service registration. Data distributionnetwork 120 transfers the media content ID associated with the contentnetwork ID and the content user ID for delivery to wirelesscommunication network 130.

In a fifth operation (#5), wireless communication network 130 wirelesslyreceives a media request having the content network ID and the contentuser ID sent from wireless communication device 140. These content IDsmay be sent responsive to wireless attachment, application launch, userinstruction, or some other trigger.

In a sixth operation (#6), wireless communication network 130responsively identifies the media content ID based on its associationwith the same content network ID and the same content user ID in boththe media request, the user service registration, and the contentinventory data. Wireless communication network 130 transfers the mediacontent ID associated with the content network ID and the content userID for delivery to wireless communication device 140.

A multitude of additional media content identifiers could be deliveredto wireless communication device 140 or other user devices in a similarmanner based on numerous content network IDs and content user IDs. Asdesired, additional layers of security and restricted access to mediacontent identifiers could be implemented.

Referring to FIG. 2, the operation of communication system 100 isdescribed. Data distribution network 120 receives content inventory dataassociating media content identifiers with a content network identifierand a content user identifier (201). Wireless communication network 130wirelessly receives a user service registration indicating the contentnetwork identifier and the content user identifier (202). Wirelesscommunication network 130 responsively transfers the content networkidentifier and the content user identifier to data distribution network120 (203).

Data distribution network 120 responsively identifies the media contentidentifiers associated with the content network identifier and thecontent user identifier based on the content inventory data (204). Datadistribution network 120 transfers the media content identifiersassociated with the content network identifier and the content useridentifier to wireless communication network 130 (205). Wirelesscommunication network 130 wirelessly receives a media request fromwireless communication device 140 indicating the content networkidentifier and the content user identifier (206). Wireless communicationnetwork 130 responsively transfers the media content identifiersassociated with content network identifier and the content useridentifier to wireless communication device 140 (207).

Advantageously, communication system 100 wirelessly distributes mediacontent identifiers content to user devices in a robust manner based oncomplex combinations of media content IDs, content network IDs, andcontent user IDs. As desired, additional layers of security andrestricted access to media content identifiers could be implemented.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate communication system 300 to transfer media contentIDs and media content to wireless communication device 340 through usercommunication system 310. Communication system 300 is an example ofcommunication system 100, although system 100 may have alternativeconfigurations and operations. Referring to FIG. 3, communication system300 comprises media server 305, user communication system 310, datadistribution network 320, wireless communication network 330, andwireless communication device 340.

Media server 305 comprises computer and communications circuitry,memory, and software. Media server 305 and user communication system 310communicate over a Local Area Network (LAN) or some other communicationsystem. In some examples, media server 305 is a universal plug and playnetwork-attached storage device with media serving logic. Media server305 stores media content and an associated media content ID, contentuser ID, and content network ID. Note that media content may beassociated with various media content IDs, content user IDs, and contentnetwork IDs that are not shown for clarity. Likewise, media server 305typically stores additional media content that is not shown for clarity.

User communication system 310 comprises computer and communicationscircuitry, memory, and software. User communication system 310 has auser communication system ID such as an address, serial number,signature, and the like. User communication system 310 and datadistribution network 320 communicate over data communication links thatuse IP, CDNI, and/or some other data protocol. User communication system310 and wireless communication network 330 communicate over wirelesscommunication links that use LTE, Wireless Fidelity (Wifi), and/or someother wireless protocol to transport the data protocols (IP, CDNI,other). User communication system 310 and wireless communication network330 may also communicate over data communication links that use IP orsome other data protocol. In some examples, user communication system310 comprises an LTE femtocell.

Wireless communication device 340 has a wireless communication deviceID, such as an address, serial number, signature, and the like. Wirelesscommunication network 330 associates the wireless communication deviceID for wireless communication device 340 with the user communicationsystem ID for user communication system 310. The association may bebased on a multi-device media access plan.

In a first operation (#1), media server 305 transfers the media contentID, content network ID, and content user ID for its current content touser communication system 310. This data transfer may be a push and/orpull and typically occurs on a frequent basis.

In a second operation (#2), user communication system 310 transfers itsown user communication device ID along with the media content ID,content network ID, and content user ID to data distribution network320. Data distribution system 320 receives, associates, and storescontent inventory data that comprises the user communication systemdevice ID, content network ID, content user ID, media content ID.

In a third operation (#3), user communication system 310 transfers itsown user communication system ID along with the content network ID andcontent user ID to wireless communication network 330 in a user serviceregistration.

In a fourth (#4) and in response to the user service registration,wireless communication network 330 transfers the user communicationsystem ID, content network ID, and content user ID to the datadistribution network 320.

In a fifth operation (#5), data distribution network 320 receives theuser communication system ID, content network ID and the content user IDsent from wireless communication network 330. Data distribution network320 responsively identifies the media content ID based on itsassociation with the same user communication system ID, same contentnetwork ID, and same content user ID in both the content inventory dataand the user service registration. Data distribution network 320transfers the media content ID associated with the user communicationsystem ID, content network ID, and content user ID for delivery towireless communication network 330.

In a sixth operation (#6), wireless communication network 330 wirelesslyreceives a media request having the wireless communication device ID,content network ID, and content user ID from wireless communicationdevice 340. These IDs may be sent responsive to wireless attachment,application launch, user instruction, or some other trigger.

In a seventh operation (#7), wireless communication network 330responsively identifies the media content ID based on its associationwith the same content network ID and the same content user ID in boththe media request, the user service registration, and the contentinventory data. In addition, wireless communication network 330 enforcessecurity by transferring the media content ID only if the wirelesscommunication device ID from the media request is associated with theuser communication ID from the user service registration and the contentinventory data. In this example, wireless communication network 330already associates the wireless communication device ID for device 340with the user communication ID for system 310, so the media contentidentifier is transferred by network 330 to wireless communicationdevice 340.

Referring to FIG. 4, the third operation (#3) of FIG. 3 is updated withuser communication system 310 transferring its content-deliveryfootprint data to wireless communication network 330 in the user serviceregistration. The content-delivery footprint data indicates the IPnetwork addresses served by communication system 330. In some examples,the footprint data indicates the IP address allocations and translationsthat occur within wireless communication network 330 and usercommunication device 310. Wireless communication network 330 associatesthe footprint data with the media content ID based on their commonassociation with the same communication system ID, content network ID,and content user ID.

In an eighth operation (#8), wireless communication device 340 transfersa content request indicating the media content ID to wirelesscommunication network 330. Like the media request, additional layers ofdata and security could be implemented for the content request.

In a ninth operation (#9), wireless communication network 330 identifiesa network address for the media content indicator based on the footprintdata associated with the media content indicator. For example, a publicnetwork address is identified that will translate through wirelesscommunication network 330 and wireless communication system 310 totransfer the requested media content ID to media server 305. Wirelesscommunication network 330 transfers the media content ID with thenetwork address to user communication system 310.

In an alternative, the ninth operation (#9) is modified where wirelesscommunication network 330 returns a redirect request with the networkaddress for the media content ID to wireless communication device 340.Wireless communication device 340 then retrieves the media content frommedia server 305 over wireless communication system 330 and usercommunication system 310 using the network address and the media contentID.

In a tenth operation (#10), user communication system 310 processes thenetwork address using its translations to transfer the media content IDto media server 305. In an eleventh operation (#11), media server 305transfers the media content to user communication system 310 based onthe media content identifier and media request. In a twelfth operation(#12), user communication system 310 transfers the media content towireless communication network 330 based on the media request. In athirteenth operation (#13), wireless communication network 330 transfersthe media content to wireless communication device 340 responsive to themedia request.

Note that additional messaging and CDNI data exchange may occur tofacilitate the transfer. Also note that a server ID for media server 305could be used in a similar manner to the content network IDs in theabove examples.

Advantageously, communication system 300 wirelessly distributes mediacontent identifiers and media content to user devices in a robust mannerbased on complex combinations of footprint data, media content IDs, usercommunication system IDs, content network IDs, and content user IDs. Asdesired, additional layers of security and restricted access to mediacontent identifiers could be implemented.

FIG. 5-8 illustrate communication system 500 to distribute media UniformResource Identifiers (URIs) and associated media content to various userdevices. Communication system 500 comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE)network, Content Delivery Network (CDN), and user equipment. The userequipment includes: a wireless hotspot, Local Area Network (LAN), mediaservers, media renderers, IP routers/modems, and other user devices.

The media servers and renderers comprise Digital Living Network Alliance(DLNA) systems. The DLNA servers obtain media content from varioussources. The DLNA renderers obtain the media content from the DLNAservers for presentation to DLNA users. The user devices are also DNLAcapable with controller, server, and/or renderer functionality for theDLNA users. The servers, renderers, and users have associated DLNAserver, renderer, and user IDs. Various combinations of DLNA serversform DLNA networks that have DLNA network IDs.

The wireless hotspot comprises LTE/Wifi transceivers, a CDNI controller,DLNA controller, and LAN/IP interface. The LTE network comprises aneNodeB, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast System (MBMS) Gateway (M-GW), andBroadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC). The CDN comprises a BM-SCinterface, CDNI systems, and DLNA control systems.

Referring to FIG. 6, the DLNA controller in the wireless hotspotinitially discovers DLNA servers, renderers, and other devices over theLAN and the LTE/Wifi transceivers. The wireless hotspot obtains DLNAdata including DLNA network IDs, server IDs, user IDs. The wirelesshotspot obtains URIs for media content hosted by the DLNA servers andalso obtains additional metadata including media usage and transferrecords.

Second, the wireless DLNA controller in the wireless hotspot transfersthe DLNA data (network IDs, server IDs, user IDs, URIs, usage/transferrecords) to the DLNA systems in the CDN.

Third, the CDNI controller in the wireless hotspot gathers DLNA network,server, and user IDs. The CDNI controller also gathers Footprint andCapabilities Interface (FCI) data for the hotspot including IPallocations and translations in itself and the LTE network, supportedCDNI capabilities, and the like. The CDNI controller in the wirelesshotspot registers with the BM-SC in the LTE network. The CDNI controllertransfers the DLNA IDs and the FCI data to the BM-SC in this eMBMSregistration along with the device identifier for the wireless hotspot.

Fourth, the BM-SC transfers the hotspot device identifier, DLNA IDs, andFCI data to the BM-SC interface in the CDN. The CDNI systems in the CDNidentify media content URIs for various DLNA networks, servers, andusers from its DLNA data based on common associations with the hotspotdevice IDs and DLNA IDs. The CDNI systems may also process usage andtransfer records to identify additional media content URIs topre-position the DLNA networks, servers, and users. The CDN returns themedia content URIs for the DLNA networks, servers, and users to theBM-SC.

Fifth, the user device operated by User A transfers a media request tothe BM-SC indicating a user device ID, DLNA network ID, and DLNA userID. This data may be sent responsive to wireless attachment, applicationlaunch, user instruction, or some other trigger. The BM-SC identifiesmedia content URIs for User A based on URI association with the commonDLNA network ID and DLNA user ID. A layer of security is applied byverifying an LTE network association between the hotspot ID and userdevice ID. The BM-SC sends the identified media content URIs for User Ato the user device operated by User A.

Referring to FIG. 7, operations continue after the URI distribution ofFIG. 6, but the operations are renumbered for clarity. First, the deviceoperated by User A transfers one of the URIs to the BM-SC (or some otherLTE system like a gateway). Second, the BM-SC identifies an IP prefixfor the URI based on the footprint data that is associated with thehotspot ID that is associated with the DLNA IDs that are associated withthe URI. For example, a network address is identified that willtranslate through the LTE network and the wireless hotspot to theappropriate DLNA network and server. The BM-SC transfers the IP prefixand URI to the CDNI controller and on to the DLNA controller in thewireless hotspot. Third, the DLNA controller in the wireless hotspottransfers the URI to the appropriate DLNA server. The DLNA serverreturns the media content for the URI to the DLNA controller in thewireless hotspot. Fourth, the CDNI controller in the wireless hotspottransfers the media content for the URI over the LTE network to thedevice for User A. Additional CDNI request routing data may be exchangedto facilitate this transfer.

Referring to FIG. 8, operations continue after the URI distribution ofFIG. 6, but the operations are renumbered for clarity. First, the deviceoperated by User A transfers one of the URIs to the BM-SC (or some otherLTE system like a gateway). Second, the BM-SC identifies an IP prefixfor the URI based on the footprint data that is associated with thehotspot ID that is associated with the DLNA IDs that are associated withthe URI. For example, a network address is identified that willtranslate through the LTE network and the wireless hotspot to theappropriate DLNA server. The BM-SC transfers the IP prefix and URI tothe device of User A in a redirect request. Third, the device for User Atransfers the URI to the DLNA controller in the wireless hotspot throughthe LTE network, hotspot transceivers, and CDNI controller. Fourth, theDLNA controller in the wireless hotspot transfers the URI to theappropriate DLNA server. The DLNA server returns the media content forthe URI to the DLNA controller in the wireless hotspot. Fifth, the CDNIcontroller in the wireless hotspot transfers the media content for theURI over the LTE network to the device for User A. Additional CDNIrequest routing data may be exchanged to facilitate this transfer.

Advantageously, communication system 500 wirelessly distributes URIs andassociated media content to user devices in a robust manner based oncomplex combinations of the URIs with IP address translations, HotspotIDs, DLNA network IDs, DLNA server IDs, and DLNA user IDs. As desired,additional layers of security and restricted access to the URIs could beimplemented. For example, wireless network records associating multipleuser devices may be used to securely screen requests for the user's CDNURIs. Communication system 500 efficiently associates DLNA data fromfrequent uPnP device feeds to the CDN with periodic wireless networkregistration data to associate the CDN URIs for a user with theircurrent wireless communication devices of choice.

FIG. 9 illustrates user communications system 900 to distribute mediacontent identifiers to user devices. User communications system 900 isan example of user communication system 310 and the wireless hotspot,although these systems may use alternative configurations andoperations. User communications system 900 comprises Wifi transceiver921, Bluetooth transceiver 922, LTE transceiver 923, Universal SerialBus (USB) transceiver 924, and Ethernet transceiver 925. Communicationtransceivers 921-925 comprise communication components, such asantennas, ports, amplifiers, filters, modulators, signal processors, andthe like.

User communications system 900 comprises processing system 903.Processing system 903 comprises processing circuitry 904 and storagesystem 905. Storage system 905 stores software 906. Software 906includes software modules 911-915. Some conventional aspects of usercommunication system 900 are omitted for clarity, such as powersupplies, enclosures, and the like. User communication system 900 may becentralized or distributed and may include various virtualizedcomponents.

In processing system 903, processing circuitry 904 comprises circuitboards, integrated circuitry, and associated electronics. Storage system905 comprises non-transitory, machine-readable, data storage media, suchas flash drives, disc drives, memory circuitry, servers, and the like.Software 906 comprises machine-readable instructions that control theoperation of processing circuitry 904 when executed. Software 906includes software modules 911-915 and may also include operatingsystems, applications, data structures, virtual machines, utilities,databases, and the like. All or portions of software 906 may beexternally stored on one or more storage media, such as flash drives,discs, servers, and the like.

When executed by processing circuitry 904, tether module 911 directscircuitry 904 to establish tether connections for user devices overtransceivers 921-925. When executed by processing circuitry 904,footprint module 912 directs circuitry 904 to obtain and report IPaddress allocation and translation data, CDNI data, and the like foritself and access networks. When executed by processing circuitry 904,LTE module 913 directs circuitry 904 to attach, register, and exchangedata with LTE networks. When executed by processing circuitry 904, DLNAmodule 914 directs circuitry 904 to gather DLNA data and content fromnetworked or tethered DLNA systems. When executed by processingcircuitry 904, CDNI module 915 directs circuitry 904 to transfer CDNIsignaling including FCI data, DLNA data, and hotspot data to CDNs andBM-SCs.

FIG. 10 illustrates LTE network data processing system 1000 todistribute media content identifiers to user devices. LTE network dataprocessing system 1000 is an example of wireless communication network130, wireless communication network 330, and the LTE BM-SC, althoughthese systems may use alternative configurations and operations. LTEnetwork data processing system 1000 comprises LTE eNodeB transceivers1021, Mobility Management Entity (MME)/Media Control Entity (MCE)transceivers 1022, and CDNI transceivers 1023. Communicationtransceivers 1021-1023 comprise communication components, such as ports,microprocessors, memory, software, and the like.

LTE network data processing system 1000 comprises processing system1003. Processing system 1003 comprises processing circuitry 1004 andstorage system 1005. Storage system 1005 stores software 1006. Software1006 includes software modules 1011-1012. Some conventional aspects ofLTE network data processing system 1000 are omitted for clarity, such aspower supplies, enclosures, and the like. LTE network data processingsystem 1000 may be centralized or distributed and may include variousvirtualized components.

In processing system 1003, processing circuitry 1004 comprises circuitboards, integrated circuitry, and associated electronics. Storage system1005 comprises non-transitory, machine-readable, data storage media,such as flash drives, disc drives, memory circuitry, servers, and thelike. Software 1006 comprises machine-readable instructions that controlthe operation of processing circuitry 1004 when executed. Software 1006includes software modules 1011-1012 and may also include operatingsystems, applications, data structures, virtual machines, utilities,databases, and the like. All or portions of software 1006 may beexternally stored on one or more storage media, such as flash drives,discs, servers, and the like.

When executed by processing circuitry 1004, gateway module 1011 directscircuitry 1004 to execute LTE multimedia gateway, packet gateway, andservice gateway virtual machines. The gateway virtual machines allocateand translate IP addresses. The gateway virtual machines also drive theeMBMS operation of the eNodeBs. When executed by processing circuitry1004, BM-SC module 1012 directs circuitry 1004 to execute a BM-SCvirtual machine. The BM-SC virtual machine controls the eMBMS operationof the gateways and eNodeBs. The BM-SC virtual machine also interactswith CDNs and user systems to make the DLNA and FCI data associationsand support the data flows as described herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates Content Delivery Network (CDN) data processingsystem 1100 to distribute media content identifiers to user devices. CDNdata processing system 1100 is an example of data distribution network120, data distribution network 320, and the CDN of FIG. 5, althoughthese systems may use alternative configurations and operations. CDNdata processing system 1100 comprises Internet transceivers 1121, LTEnetwork transceivers 1122, and CDN transceivers 1123. Communicationtransceivers 1121-1123 comprise communication components, such as ports,microprocessors, memory, software, and the like.

CDN data processing system 1100 comprises processing system 1103.Processing system 1103 comprises processing circuitry 1104 and storagesystem 1105. Storage system 1105 stores software 1106. Software 1106includes software modules 1111-1113. Some conventional aspects of CDNdata processing system 1100 are omitted for clarity, such as powersupplies, enclosures, and the like. CDN data processing system 1100 maybe centralized or distributed and may include various virtualizedcomponents.

In processing system 1103, processing circuitry 1104 comprises circuitboards, integrated circuitry, and associated electronics. Storage system1105 comprises non-transitory, machine-readable, data storage media,such as flash drives, disc drives, memory circuitry, servers, and thelike. Software 1106 comprises machine-readable instructions that controlthe operation of processing circuitry 1104 when executed. Software 1106includes software modules 1111-1113 and may also include operatingsystems, applications, data structures, virtual machines, utilities,databases, and the like. All or portions of software 1106 may beexternally stored on one or more storage media, such as flash drives,discs, servers, and the like.

When executed by processing circuitry 1104, BM-SC module 1111 directscircuitry 1104 to interface with LTE systems and BM-SCs as describedherein to exchange FCI data, DLNA data, and user registration data. Whenexecuted by processing circuitry 1104, CDNI module 1112 directscircuitry 1104 to control CDN operations and make the associationsbetween the media content inventory data and the wireless networkregistration data as described herein. When executed by processingcircuitry 1104, DLNA module 1113 directs circuitry 1104 to collect DLNAdata indicating media content IDs in association with DLNA network,server, and user IDs as described herein.

The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of theinvention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Notethat some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of theinvention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the features described above can be combined in variousways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above,but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a communication system towirelessly transfer media content identifiers to a wirelesscommunication device, the method comprising: in a data distributionnetwork, receiving content inventory data associating the media contentidentifiers with a content network identifier and a content useridentifier; in a wireless communication network, wirelessly receiving auser service registration indicating the content network identifier, thecontent user identifier, and content delivery footprint data, andresponsively transferring the content network identifier, the contentuser identifier, and the content delivery footprint data, for deliveryto the data distribution network; in the data distribution network,receiving the content network identifier and the content user identifierand responsively identifying the media content identifiers associatedwith the content network identifier and the content user identifier bythe content inventory data and transferring the media contentidentifiers associated with the content network identifier and thecontent user identifier for delivery to the wireless communicationnetwork; in the wireless communication network, receiving the mediacontent identifiers associated with the content network identifier andthe content user identifier and associating the content-deliveryfootprint data for the user communication system with the media contentidentifiers associated with the content network identifier and thecontent user identifier; and in the wireless communication network,wirelessly receiving a media request from the wireless communicationdevice indicating the content network identifier and the content useridentifier, and in response, wirelessly transferring the media contentidentifiers associated with content network identifier and the contentuser identifier to the wireless communication device.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: in the wireless communication network,wirelessly receiving a content request from the wireless communicationdevice indicating one of the media content identifiers; and responsivelyidentifying a network address for the one of the media contentidentifiers based on the association of the one of the media contentidentifiers with the content-delivery footprint data for the usercommunication system; and forwarding the content request to the usercommunication system with the network address and the one of the mediacontent identifiers.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: in thewireless communication network, wirelessly receiving a content requestfrom the wireless communication device indicating one of the mediacontent identifiers; identifying a network address for the one of themedia content identifiers based on the association of the one of themedia content identifiers with the content-delivery footprint data forthe user communication system; and transferring a redirect request tothe wireless communication device indicating the network address for theone of the media content identifiers.
 4. The method of claim 1 whereinthe content-delivery footprint data indicates Internet Protocol addresstranslations used in the wireless communication network for the usercommunication system.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein: receiving thecontent inventory data into the data distribution network furthercomprises receiving the content inventory data transferred by a usercommunication system and indicating a user communication systemidentifier associated with the content network identifier; receiving theuser service registration into the wireless access system furthercomprises receiving the user service registration transferred by theuser communication system and indicating the user communication systemidentifier associated with the content network identifier; and furthercomprising transferring the user communication system identifier alongwith the content network identifier from the wireless communicationnetwork for delivery to the data distribution network and receiving theuser communication system identifier along with the content networkidentifier into the data distribution network; and wherein identifyingthe media content identifiers in the data distribution network comprisesidentifying the media content identifiers associated with the usercommunication system identifier and the content network identifier andthe content user identifier.
 6. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: in the wireless communication network, associating a usercommunication system identifier for a user communication system with awireless communication device identifier for the wireless communicationdevice; wherein receiving the user service registration comprisesreceiving the user service registration indicating the usercommunication system identifier transferred by the user communicationsystem; in the wireless communication network, associating the usercommunication system identifier with the media content identifiers basedon the content network identifier; wherein receiving the media requestfurther comprises receiving the media request indicating the wirelesscommunication device identifier transferred by the wirelesscommunication device; in the wireless communication network, identifyingthe user communication system identifier based on the association of theuser communication system identifier with the content network identifierand the media content identifiers in the media request; and whereinwirelessly transferring the media content identifiers to the wirelesscommunication device comprises performing the transfer if the wirelesscommunication device identifier in the media request is associated withthe user communication system identifier.
 7. The method of claim 1wherein the media content identifiers comprise uniform resourceidentifiers.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the content networkidentifier indicates a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) contentnetwork.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless communicationnetwork comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.
 10. Acommunication system to wirelessly transfer media content identifiers toa wireless communication device, the communication system comprising: adata distribution network configured to receive content inventory dataassociating the media content identifiers with a content networkidentifier and a content user identifier; a wireless communicationnetwork configured to wirelessly receive a user service registrationindicating the content network identifier, the content user identifier,and content-delivery footprint data, and responsively transfer thecontent network identifier, the content user identifier, and the contentdelivery footprint data for delivery to the data distribution network;the data distribution network configured to receive the content networkidentifier and the content user identifier and responsively identify themedia content identifiers associated with the content network identifierand the content user identifier by the content inventory data andtransfer the media content identifiers associated with the contentnetwork identifier and the content user identifier for delivery to thewireless communication network; the wireless communication networkconfigured to receive the media content identifiers associated with thecontent network identifier and the content user identifier and associatethe content-delivery footprint data for the user communication systemwith the media content identifiers associated with the content networkidentifier and the content user identifier, wirelessly receive a mediarequest from the wireless communication device indicating the contentnetwork identifier and the content user identifier, and in response, andwirelessly transfer the media content identifiers associated withcontent network identifier and the content user identifier to thewireless communication device.
 11. The communication system of claim 10wherein the wireless communication network is configured to wirelesslyreceive a content request from the wireless communication deviceindicating one of the media content identifiers and responsivelyidentify a network address for the one of the media content identifiersbased on the association of the one of the media content identifierswith the content-delivery footprint data for the user communicationsystem, and forward the content request to the user communication systemwith the network address and the one of the media content identifiers.12. The communication system of claim 10 wherein the wirelesscommunication network is configured to wirelessly receive a contentrequest from the wireless communication device indicating one of themedia content identifiers, identify a network address for the one of themedia content identifiers based on the association of the one of themedia content identifiers with the content-delivery footprint data forthe user communication system, and transfer a redirect request to thewireless communication device indicating the network address for the oneof the media content identifiers.
 13. The communication system of claim10 wherein the content-delivery footprint data indicates InternetProtocol address translations used in the wireless communication networkfor the user communication system.
 14. The communication system of claim10 wherein: the data distribution network is configured to receive thecontent inventory data transferred by a user communication system andindicating a user communication system identifier associated with thecontent network identifier; the wireless communication network isconfigured to the user service registration transferred by the usercommunication system indicating the user communication system identifierassociated with the content network identifier and transfer the usercommunication system identifier along with the content networkidentifier to the data distribution network; and the data distributionnetwork is configured to receive the user communication systemidentifier along with the content network identifier and identify themedia content identifiers associated with the user communication systemidentifier and the content network identifier and the content useridentifier.
 15. The communication system of claim 10 wherein thewireless communication network is configured to: associate a usercommunication system identifier for a user communication system with awireless communication device identifier for the wireless communicationdevice; receive the user communication system identifier in the userservice registration transferred by the user communication system andassociate the user communication system identifier with the mediacontent identifiers based on the content network identifier; receive thewireless communication device identifier in the media requesttransferred by the wireless communication device and identify the usercommunication system identifier based on the association of the usercommunication system identifier with the content network identifier andthe media content identifiers in the media request; and transfer themedia content identifiers to the wireless communication device if thewireless communication device identifier in the media request isassociated with the user communication system identifier.
 16. Thecommunication system of claim 10 wherein the media content identifierscomprise uniform resource identifiers.
 17. The communication system ofclaim 10 wherein the content network identifier indicates a DigitalLiving Network Alliance (DLNA) content network.
 18. The communicationsystem of claim 10 wherein the wireless communication network comprisesa Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.